Wagering game with bonus game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal. The method includes conducting the wagering game at the gaming terminal and displaying a plurality of game elements. Each of the game elements hides an award. At least one of the plurality of game elements is struck with a moveable object, causing at least one game element to disappear. The award associated with the at least one game element is then revealed and the award is granted to the player.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/630,450, filed Nov. 23, 2004, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming terminals for playinga wagering game and, more particularly, to a wagering game having aunique feature for allowing a player to achieve credits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and thelike, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years.Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent onthe likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machineand the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options. Where the available gaming options include anumber of competing machines and the expectation of winning each machineis roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are mostlikely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of themachines.

Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most entertainingand exciting machines available because such machines attract frequentplay and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. In thecompetitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need forgaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, orenhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play byenhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with thegame.

One concept that has been employed is the use of a progressive jackpot.In the gaming industry, a “progressive” involves collecting coin-in datafrom participating gaming device(s) (e.g., slot machines), contributinga percentage of that coin-in data to a jackpot amount, and awarding thatjackpot amount to a player upon the occurrence of a certain jackpot-wonevent. The percentage of the coin-in is determined prior to any resultbeing achieved and is independent of any result. A jackpot-won eventtypically occurs when a “progressive winning position” is achieved at aparticipating gaming device. If the gaming device is a slot machine, aprogressive winning position may, for example, correspond to alignmentof progressive jackpot reel symbols along a certain pay line. Theinitial progressive jackpot is a predetermined minimum amount. Thatjackpot amount, however, progressively increases as players continue toplay the gaming machine without winning the jackpot. Further, whenseveral gaming machines are linked together such that several players atseveral gaming machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpotprogressively increases at a much faster rate, which leads to furtherplayer excitement.

Another concept that has been successfully employed to enhance theentertainment value of a game is that of a “bonus” game which may beplayed in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may compriseany type of game, either similar to or completely different from thebasic game, and is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event oroutcome of the basic game. Such a bonus game produces a significantlyhigher level of player excitement than the basic game because itprovides a greater expectation of winning than the basic game.

However, in some of the bonus games, the player is not as engaged ashe/she could be because the bonus game does not include any action orelements involving motion.

Thus, there is a need to allow a player to play a bonus game having anaction component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofplaying a wagering game at a gaming terminal includes conducting thewagering game at the gaming terminal and displaying a plurality of gameelements. Each of the game elements hides an award. At least one of theplurality of game elements is struck with a moveable object, such thatthe striking causes the at least one game element to disappear. Theaward associated with the at least one game element is revealed and thenawarded to the player.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a gamingterminal is provided. The gaming terminal includes a wagering gamehaving a plurality of game elements, and each of the plurality of gameelements has associated indicia. The gaming terminal displays theplurality of game elements. At least one of the plurality of gameelements is struck by a moving object, such that the at least one gameelement reveals the associated indicia.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a gamingsystem includes at least one display and a gaming terminal for playing awagering game. The system further includes a controller coupled to thegaming terminal and the at least one display. The controller isoperative to cause the display to display a plurality of game elements.The plurality of game elements covers a plurality of indicia. Thecontroller also causes a moving object on the display to strike at leastone of the plurality of game elements and reveals at least one of theplurality of indicia when the at least one game element has been struckby the moving object. An award amount based on the revealing isdetermined by the controller.

A method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal is provided inanother embodiment of the present invention. The wagering game has abasic game and a bonus game. The method includes conducting the basicgame at the gaming terminal. In response to achieving a start-bonusoutcome during the basic game, the bonus game is conducted at the gamingterminal. A plurality of prize elements, a moving game element and astationary game element are displayed during the bonus game, and atleast some of the plurality of prize elements having an associatedaward. The moving game element bounces between the stationary gameelement and the plurality of prize elements. The gaming terminal thenreveals the associated award in response to one of the plurality ofprize elements being hit by the moving game element.

In yet another embodiment, a gaming terminal including a wagering gamehaving a plurality of game elements is provided. Each of the pluralityof game elements has associated indicia. The gaming terminal displaysthe plurality of game elements. A moving object bounces between astationary game element and the plurality of game elements, such thatthe display reveals the associated indicia in response to one of theplurality of game elements being hit by the moving object.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to representeach embodiment or every aspect of the present invention, as there areseveral novel methods and gaming terminals incorporating thiscommunication feature. The detailed description and Figures willdescribe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video gaming terminal according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gaming terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a main display of the gaming terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an initial screen of a bonus game of the gamingterminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates another screen of a bonus game of the gaming terminalof FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a bonus game of the gamingterminal of FIG. 1.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a typical gaming terminal 10 used bygaming establishments, such as casinos. With regard to the presentinvention, the gaming terminal 10 may be any type of gaming terminal andmay have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, thegaming terminal 10 may be a mechanical gaming terminal configured toplay mechanical slots, or it may be an electromechanical or electricalgaming terminal configured to play video slots or a video casino game,such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, etc.

As shown, the gaming terminal 10 includes input devices, such as a wageracceptor 16 (shown as a card wager acceptor 16 a and a cash wageraccepter 16 b), a touch screen 21, a push-button panel 22, and aninformation reader 24. For outputs, the gaming terminal 10 includes apayout mechanism 23, a main display 26 for displaying information aboutthe basic wagering game, and a secondary display 27 that may display anelectronic version of a pay table, and/or also possibly game-relatedinformation or other entertainment features. While these typicalcomponents found in the gaming terminal 10 are described below, itshould be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may beused in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gamingterminal.

The wager acceptor 16 may be provided in many forms, individually or incombination. The cash wager acceptor 16 a may include a coin slotacceptor or a note acceptor to input value to the gaming terminal 10.The card wager acceptor 16 b may include a card-reading device forreading a card that has a recorded monetary value with which it isassociated. The card wager acceptor 16 b may also receive a card thatauthorizes access to a central account, which can transfer money to thegaming terminal 10.

Also included is the payout mechanism 23, which performs the reversefunctions of the wager acceptor 16. For example, the payout mechanism 23may include a coin dispenser or a note dispenser to output value fromgaming terminal 10. Also, the payout mechanism 23 may also be adapted toreceive a card that authorizes the gaming terminal to transfer creditsfrom the gaming terminal 10 to a central account.

The push button panel 22 is typically offered, in addition to the touchscreen 21, to provide players with an option on how to make their gameselections. Alternatively, the push button panel 22 provides inputs forone aspect of operating the game, while the touch screen 21 allows forinputs needed for another aspect of operating the game.

The outcome of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on themain display 26. The main display 26 may take the form of a cathode raytube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, LED, or any othertype of video display suitable for use in the gaming terminal 10. Asshown, the main display 26 includes the touch screen 21 overlaying theentire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to makegame-related selections. Alternatively, the gaming terminal 10 may havea number of mechanical reels to display the game outcome, as well.

In some embodiments, the information reader 24 is a card reader thatallows for identification of a player by reading a card with informationindicating his or her true identity. Currently, identification is usedby casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary services orspecial offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gamingestablishment's players' club and may be awarded certain complimentaryservices as that player collects points in his or her player-trackingaccount. The player inserts his or her card into theplayer-identification card reader 24, which allows the casino'scomputers to register that player's wagering at the gaming terminal 10.The information reader 24 may also include a keypad (not shown) forentering a personal identification number (PIN). The gaming terminal 10may require that the player enter their PIN prior to obtaininginformation. The gaming terminal 10 may use the secondary display 27 forproviding the player with information about his or her account or otherplayer-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the informationreader 24 may be used to restore assets that the player achieved duringa previous game session and had saved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming terminal 10 arecontrolled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30 (such as amicroprocessor or microcontroller). To provide the gaming functions, theCPU 30 executes a game program that allows for the randomly selectedoutcome. The CPU 30 is also coupled to or includes a local memory 32.The local memory 32 may comprise a volatile memory 33 (e.g., arandom-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory 34 (e.g., anEEPROM). It should be appreciated that the CPU 30 may include one ormore microprocessors. Similarly, the local memory 32 may includemultiple RAM and multiple program memories.

Communications between the peripheral components of the gaming terminal10 and the CPU 30 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 35 a. Assuch, the CPU 30 also controls and receives inputs from the peripheralcomponents of the gaming terminal 10. Further, the CPU 30 communicateswith external systems via the I/O circuits 35 b. Although the I/Ocircuits 35 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciatedthat the I/O circuits 35 may include a number of different types of I/Ocircuits.

The gaming terminal 10 is typically operated as part of a game controlnetwork 50 having control circuitry and memory devices. The game controlnetwork 50 may optionally include a system memory 52 for alternativestorage of data. The game network 50 can include instructions forplaying games, such as progressive jackpots that are contributed to byall or some of the gaming terminals 10 in the network 50. The gamingterminal 10 often has multiple serial ports, each port dedicated toproviding data to a specific host computer system that performs aspecific function (e.g., account system, player-tracking system,progressive game control system, etc . . . ). To set up a typical serialcommunication hardware link to the host system, the typical RS-232point-to-point communication protocol that is often present in thegaming terminal 10 is converted to an RS-485 (or RS-485-type)master-slave protocol so as to take advantage of some of the advantagesof the RS-485 capability (e.g., multi-drop capability that allows manygaming terminals 10 to communicate with the game control network 50). Toperform this function, a custom interface board may be used by thegaming terminal 10 for each communication port in the gaming terminal10. It should be noted that the gaming terminal 10 can initially bedesigned to be configured for a typical RS-485 protocol, instead of thetypical RS-232 protocol. Further, the gaming terminal 10 may simply bedesigned for an Ethernet connection to the game control network 50.

As has been discussed, the gaming terminal 10 and/or the associatedgaming network 50 is capable of executing such wagering games on orthrough a controller. The controller, as used herein, comprises anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposedor resident inside and/or outside of a gaming terminal 10 or likemachine which may communicate with and/or control the transfer of databetween the gaming terminal and a bus, another computer, processor, ordevice and/or a service and/or a network. The network may include, butis no limited to a peer-to-peer, client/server, master/slave, starnetwork, ring network, bus network, or other network architecturewherein at least one processing device (e.g., computer) is linked to atleast one other processing device. The controller, as used herein, maycomprise one or more controllers. In one implementation, each gamingterminal 10 comprises, or is connected to, a controller enabling eachgaming terminal to transmit and/or receive signals, preferably both, ina peer-to-peer arrangement. In another example, the controller may beadapted to facilitate communication and/or data transfer for one or moregaming terminals 10 in a client/server or centralized arrangement. Inthe example shown in FIG. 2, the controller in the gaming terminal 10comprises CPU 30 and the I/O circuits 35 (e.g., Network Interface Units)connecting the gaming terminal 10 via a conventional I/O port andcommunication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc . . . ) tothe game network 50, which may include, for example other gamingterminals connected together in the network 50.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the main display 26 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the basicgame is a slot machine game, with symbols on five different reels 36,38, 40, 42, 44. The reels 36-44 may be either traditional mechanicalreels or they may be computer-generated images of reels, with each reelcomposed of a plurality of symbols. Pay line indicators 46 indicate arandomly selected outcome for each pay line, which is the combination ofsymbols on the reels 36-44. Thereafter, an outcome indicator 48indicates whether the outcome has resulted in a payout, a progressivejackpot, a bonus game, or whether it resulted in nothing. While multiplepay lines 46 are shown, a gaming terminal 10 with a single pay line willalso work with the present invention.

In the present example, the wagering game follows the theme of a LasVegas Party, where the symbols represent different things generallyassociated with Las Vegas (e.g., people, singers, waitresses, cards,chips, dice, drinks, etc . . . ). Various combinations of the symbolscan result in prizes, including monetary and non-monetary prizes. Thenon-monetary prizes include free spins, multipliers, entry into a bonusgame, entry into a progressive game, etc.

In this particular embodiment, a particular combination of symbolsgenerates entry into a bonus game. The game enters the bonus stage whena particular symbol is present on a pay line of the first reel 36 and adifferent symbol is present on a pay line in the fifth reel 44. In thisembodiment, the combination illustrated is a symbol of a person 54 inthe first reel 36 along with a deck of cards symbol 56 in the fifth reel44. In other embodiments, other symbol combinations (including symbolson other reels) may trigger the bonus game.

In some embodiments there may be minimum requirements for a player toenter the bonus game. These may include: the player placing a minimumwager; the player being registered on the network 50, the player playingall lines; etc . . .

Turning now to FIG. 4, a display of the bonus game is shown that istriggered by the symbol combination in the basic game, as shown in FIG.3. In this embodiment, the bonus game includes a brick wall 58 made ofthree rows of bricks 60. On the bottom of the main display 26, a bumper62 and a ball 64 are illustrated. Once the player enters the bonus game,the ball 64 is released and bounces between the bumper 62 and the brickwall 58. As illustrated, there are gaps between the bumper 62 and theside of the main display 26. In some embodiments, the bumper 62 ismoveable (either by the player or the gaming terminal 10), causing theball 64 to ricochet in different directions. In some embodiments, themovement of the ball is governed by physics, and the ball 64 follows alogical trajectory. In other embodiments, the movement of the ball 64 iscompletely random.

As shown in FIG. 5, as the ball 64 hits a brick 66, the hit brick 66“breaks” or disappears and reveals a bonus award (5 credits in theillustrated case). In the embodiment in FIG. 5, the ball 64 has already“broken” three bricks 66, for a total bonus amount of 16 credits, whichis displayed in a bonus meter 68 at the bottom of the display 26. Thebonus awards may be monetary credit awards as shown, or they may benon-monetary, such as free spins, cause extra bricks to be “broken,”grant extra balls, make a ball invincible for a certain period of time,and the like. In this embodiment, the ball 64 continues to bouncebetween the bumper 62 and the brick wall 58 until the ball 64 hits anentire column of bricks 60 or misses the bumper 62. In the case wherethe ball 64 misses the bumper 62, the bonus game has ended and theplayer is awarded all of the bonus awards achieved.

If the ball 64 breaks all of the bricks 60 in a particular column, thenext time the ball 64 passes through that column, the player advances toanother bonus screen with more awards. Alternatively, the ball 64 mayjust be propelled back towards the bumper 62 with no award being given.

In other embodiments, the bumper 62 may be stationary, and pieces of thebumper 62 may also disappear once they are hit, increasing thelikelihood of the ball 64 missing the bumper 62 with each additionalbounce. Even if the bumper 62 moves, pieces of it may disappear once theball 64 hits the bumper 62.

In some embodiments, the size of the bumper 62 may change randomly witheach bonus game or the size may depend on how many pay lines werewagered or how much was wagered on each pay line. In other embodiments,the bumper 62 may not be a continuous line, but a series of smallbumpers.

In some other embodiments, certain of the bricks 60 may be “special”bricks. When one of the “special” bricks 60 is struck, a chain-reactionis set off and a number of adjacent bricks 60 are also broken. Thebricks affected in the chain-reaction could be all of the bricks in aparticular row or column, or a predetermined number of adjacent bricks.

In some embodiments, certain of the bricks 60 may be game-ending bricks.When a game-ending brick is struck, the bonus game ends.

Turning now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In this embodiment, the bricks 60 are not arranged in awall pattern, but are instead scattered around the main display 26, andthere are also a plurality of bumpers 62 spread out over main display26. In this embodiment, once the player achieves the bonus screen, theplayer is given a number of balls 64. One of the balls 64 is shot from ashoot 70 and smashes into the bumpers 62. Once the ball hits a brick 60,the brick 60 is shattered as before, revealing a bonus award. The playeris then credited with the bonus award. However, in this embodiment, theball 64 also disappears. The next ball 64 is then shot from the shoot 70and into bonus game. This continues until all of the balls 64 awarded tothe player have been used. The number of balls 64 granted to the playermay be random, or it may be based on pay lines played or amount wagered.

In some embodiments, the ball 64 may not disappear after hitting onebrick 60, but may disappear after hitting another predetermined numberof bricks. The number of bricks 60 required to be hit to make a balldisappear may be fixed or it may vary. In some embodiments, the bumpers62 may be fixed, may spin, or some may be fixed and some may spin.

In some embodiments, in which the player is controlling the bumper(s)62, the outcome of the bonus game is randomly determined before the ball64 begins to move, but the values of the bricks 60 that create theoutcome are modified as the ball 64 is in motion in order to ensure thecorrect outcome. For example, if it is randomly determined that thebonus is worth 20 credits and the first brick 60 struck is worth 20credits, no matter which brick 60 the ball 64 strikes next will be abonus-ending brick or a “ball destructor.” This gives the player theillusion of having control over the motion of the ball 64 and his/herwinnings, while still allowing the gaming machine to meet gamingrequirements.

In another embodiment, the movement of the ball 64 could be controlledby an animated character. The animated character could fling the ball atthe bricks 60. In some embodiments, the animated character could becontrolled by the player, while in other embodiments, it is controlledby the gaming terminal 10. The ball 64 may act in any of the waysdescribed above. For example, the gaming terminal 10 may still includethe bumper 62, and after the ball 64 is thrown and hits a brick 60, theball 64 may continue to bounce between the bumper 62 and the wall ofbricks 60. In other embodiments, there may not be a bumper 62 and theball 64 may disappear after it strikes the brick 60.

In some embodiments, the animated character may throw an item other thana ball, such as a coconut or bomb. In some embodiments, the ball 64 maybe an animated character, such as a human canonball.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments andobvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spiritand scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal, comprising:conducting the wagering game at the gaming terminal; displaying aplurality of game elements, each of the game elements hiding an award;striking at least one of the plurality of game elements with a moveableobject, the striking causing the at least one game element to disappear;revealing the award associated with the at least one game element;awarding an award to the player.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thestriking includes bouncing the moveable object between a bumper and theplurality of game elements.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the bumperis moveable.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the moveable bumper iscontrolled by one of the player and the gaming terminal.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the moveable object has a path and the path israndomly determined.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the moveableobject has a path and the path follows the laws of physics.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the plurality of game elements are stationary.8. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of game elements aremoving.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the wagering game payoffincludes all of the revealed awards.
 10. A gaming terminal comprising awagering game having a plurality of game elements, each of the pluralityof game elements having associated indicia, the gaming terminaldisplaying the plurality of game elements, at least one of the pluralityof game elements being struck by a moving object, such that the at leastone game element reveals the associated indicia.
 11. The gaming terminalof claim 10 wherein the wagering game includes a basic game and the gameelements are displayed during the basic game.
 12. The gaming terminal ofclaim 10 wherein the wagering game includes a basic game and a bonusgame, the basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate arandomly selected outcome of the basic game, and the plurality of gameelements are displayed on the gaming terminal in response to therandomly selected outcome at the gaming terminal being a start-bonusgame outcome.
 13. The gaming terminal of claim 10 wherein the wageringgame further comprises a bumper and the moveable object moves betweenthe bumper and the plurality of game elements.
 14. The gaming terminalof claim 13 wherein a portion of the bumper is removed once the bumperis hit by the moveable object.
 15. The gaming terminal of claim 13wherein the wagering game ends when the moveable object misses hittingthe bumper.
 16. The gaming terminal of claim 10 wherein the moveableobject disappears once it strikes one of the plurality of game elements.17. A gaming system comprising: at least one display; a gaming terminalfor playing a wagering game; and a controller coupled to the gamingterminal and the at least one display, the controller operative to (i)cause the display to display a plurality of game elements, the pluralityof game elements covering a plurality of indicia, (ii) cause a movingobject on the display to strike at least one of the plurality of gameelements; (iii) reveal at least one of the plurality of indicia when theat least one game element has been struck by the moving object, and (iv)determine an award amount based on the revealing.
 18. The system ofclaim 17 wherein the controller is operative to randomly select the gameelements to be revealed.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein thecontroller is further operative to cause the display to display a bumpersuch that the moving object moves between the bumper and the pluralityof game elements.
 20. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller ishoused in the gaming terminal.